"When they criticise the government when it tries to prevent violence and punish perpetrators of that violence we take the position that they can go hang," he said.

There has been growing international criticism both in Africa and elsewhere of Zimbabwe over the opposition's treatment.

The UK and US governments are calling for sanctions beyond the current travel ban and assets freeze on senior officials.

But the EU and UN urged caution in imposing new restrictions.

"Sanctions have to be weighed very carefully because of the experience that we have had in the past, whereby sanctions have had a counter-productivity against innocent citizens," said UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro.

Diplomatic initiative

Mr Mugabe added that he would continue to accept humanitarian aid from the West as long as it did not "indulge in our politics".

More than 80% of Zimbabweans are living in poverty, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.

Mr Kikwete, who has a reputation as a peacemaker, flew to Harare on Thursday for an unscheduled visit.

Tanzania, traditionally a close ally of Mr Mugabe, has been appointed along with Namibia and Lesotho by the regional bloc, the Southern African Development Community, to seek an end to the political crisis in Zimbabwe.

But Mr Kikwete gave few details of the talks, saying that "we agreed on the way forward on a number of issues".